onto his Persian rug, but he tightened his hold. âAs long as you are safe,â he said softly.
Meanwhile, Lydiaâs loud protestations were added to the clamor. âLizzy, look what you have started.â She avoided her husbandâs bloody hands when she cuddled his head. âWhat kind of man have you married?â she accused.
âThe best kind, Lydia.â Elizabeth looked lovingly into Darcyâs eyes. âA man of honor. A man of integrity.â She turned in Darcyâs embrace. âMr. Nathan, would you ask Jasper and Thomas to
escort Lieutenant and Mrs. Wickham safely from Pemberleyâs grounds?â
âCertainly, Mrs. Darcy.â He snapped his fingers, and the two footmen appeared.
âI cannot believe it has come to this,â Lydia lamented. âYou would turn your own sister away? Your flesh and blood?â
Elizabethâs mouth turned downward. âAs my marriage vows require, I would cling to my husband above all others.â She shook her head in sadness. âI never wished it to come to this. In the future, should you choose to return to Pemberley, I shall welcome you with open arms, but I shall never subjugate Mr. Darcyâs desire to sever relations with Lieutenant Wickham to my desire to maintain sisterly affection. If you cannot accept those terms, then we shall communicate through the post.â
As she supported her husbandâs rise from the floor, Lydia exclaimed, âYou have turned Kitty against me.â
Elizabeth shot a quick glance to the downcast countenance of a sister she dearly adored, and she noted how Kittyâs mouth twitched with the desire to smile. Kitty, too, found all this drama quite amusing. Miss Catherine Bennet had grown into a sage young woman. âI hope not. I would never place Kitty in a position to have to choose between us.â She silently thought, as you have just required. âAnd I hope to see you regain the family and friends you have so carelessly sacrificed. The nuptials are a public gathering. You must choose whether you shall stay until Monday for the service. Yet, Pemberley is my home, and I shall determine the events we celebrate and the guests who participate.â
âI see.â Lydia straightened her clothing. âWe shall await my parents at the Lambton inn.â
Wickham staggered to his feet. âThat may not be the best idea.â
âWhy ever not?â Lydia demanded. âThere is no coach until tomorrow.â
Darcy eyed Wickham carefully. The manâs nervous mannerisms made him an open book. âIf your husbandâs demeanor is any indication, Lieutenant Wickham expects to meet those in the area who still hold his markers.â Everyone turned to stare at the wastrel in the Kingâs uniform.
âI simply prefer not to importune Father Bennet for the cost of our room and return passage,â Wickham said smoothly.
Darcy laughed sarcastically. âDid you hear, Mrs. Darcy? Your fatherâs debts grow. You suggested that Mr. Bennet would assume the unexpected cost of an inn stay, but your assumption included the notion that Lieutenant Wickham had previously arranged a return journey to Carlisle. Now, we find that not to be the case. Our brother in marriage requires both passage and room, and I suspect board, as well.â
Elizabeth said accusingly, âI expect the accuracy of your words, but that is my fatherâs issue.â
Kitty said softly. âMr. Saunders is at Kympton. Perhaps Lydia and Lieutenant Wickham could share the curateâs quarters for the evening. Should I speak to Mr. Winkler? I would not wish Lydia to know any public humiliation.â
âYou do what you consider best, Kitty.â Elizabeth admired how Kitty had handled herself. Her sister had demonstrated a firm resolve, but she had also shown charity, a quality Mr. Winkler had recognized in the young Catherine Bennetâa quality he required in his wife.